The First Federalist: Johannes Althusius1
The First Federalist: Johannes Althusius1 Alain de Benoist Johannes Althusius (1557-1638) has been called “the most profound political thinker between Bodin and Hobbes.”2 By the 18th century, however, he rated only a few lines in Bayle’s historical dictionary: “Althusius, German jurisconsult, famous at the end of the 16th century. He wrote a book on politics. Several other jurisconsults opposed him, because he argued that the sovereignty of the state belonged to the people. In the two previous editions, I failed to mention that he was a Protestant, that, after having been a law professor at Herborn, he became a public trustee in Bremen, and that the Jesuits, in response to the Anti-Coton,3 categorized him as a Protestant who spoke against royal power.”4 Edmond de Beauverger dedicated half a chapter to Althusius.5 Frédéric Atger and, later, Victor Delbos, discussed him very briefly.6 But the only substantial presentation of his ideas available in France is Pierre Mesnard’s work on 16th century 1. Originally published in Krisis 22 (March 1999), pp. 2-34. Translated by Julia Kostova. 2. Carl Joachim Friedrich, “Introductory Remarks,” in Politica medhodice digesta of Johannes Althusius (Althaus) (New York: Arno Press, 1979), p. xv. 3. A pamphlet published in 1610 attacking Pierre Coton (1564-1626). 4. Pierre Bayle, Dictionnaire historique et critique, 2nd ed., Vol. 1 (Amsterdam: P. Brunel, 1734), p. 245. 5. Edmond de Beauverger, Tableau historique des progrès de la philosophie poli- tique (Paris: Leiber et Commelin, 1858), pp. 64-81. 6. Frédéric Atger, Essai sur l’histoire des doctrines de contrat social (Nîmes: F.
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